Turning away, he stalked up the stairs. Whenhe arrived at the top, he spotted Brokk leaning against the doorwayof his room. Cole’s step faltered at the sight of his brother’ssweat-streaked face.
“Who indeed, brother?” Brokk inquired.
Cole’s shock faded as he scowled at hisbrother. “What are you doing out of bed?”
“Who could sleep with all that pounding?”
Cole strode toward him, and clasping his arm,he swung it around his shoulders and supported Brokk’s weight as hesteered him into the room. “You shouldn’t be up.”
“I had to make sure someone wasn’t coming tokill us,” Brokk muttered as he let Cole lead him back to thebed.
Cole lowered his arm from his shoulders andsat him on the edge of the mattress. Brokk fell back with a groan.Grasping his legs, Cole swung them into the bed.
“I’m not an invalid,” Brokk protested, but ashe pushed himself up to rest his back against the bed, he wincedand lifted his arm to wipe the sweat from his brow.
“You’re barely any better,” Cole muttered ashe jerked the blankets over his brother.
“I’m doing a lot better.”
“Yes, you managed to stand today. You’redoing fucking fantastic.”
Cole ignored the finger Brokk gave him.
“What game are you playing with the girl?”Brokk asked when Cole finished getting him settled.
Cole sat in the chair he’d become far toofamiliar with over the past few days. “I’m not playing any gamewith her.”
Brokk winced as he pushed himself furtherinto a seated position. “I heard your conversation with Sahira.We’re not exactly known to do things out of the kindness of ourhearts, but I’ve never known you to play with an innocent’shead.”
“I’m not playing with her head.”
“She’s young, and we both know she’sinexperienced. She’s led a sheltered life here.”
“How can you say that when you barely knowher?”
“I know she’s an innocent, and so do you. Iremember how Del talked about her and how he kept her protectedfrom the worst of the realms. He was our friend, and she doesn’tknow how to handle creatures like Malakai or us. You’ve never beenone to take advantage of that, so what game are you playing,Cole?”
Cole gripped the ends of the chair. “I toldyou, I’m not playing any game. I owe it to Del and her to keep hersafe, and I plan to do exactly that. They took us in here, and theykept you alive; I will repay that debt.”
Brokk’s head fell back and hit the headboardwith a small thud. “It’s a debt I’ll repay too, and she isbeautiful. They both are.”
“Stay away from Lexi,” Cole warned.
Brokk lifted his head and met his gaze, buthis brother was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
CHAPTER 41
Lexi poked her head into Brokk’s room and waspleased to discover him sitting up with his back against theheadboard and a book on his lap. When he looked up at her, hesmiled as she stepped into the room.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
He laid the book down as she approached thebed. Though he remained paler than normal, his eyes were bright,and the color had returned to his handsome face. His blond hair wasdisheveled, and he could probably use a shower, but he was on theroad to recovery, which meant he and Cole would leave soon.
Lexi pushed aside the pang of disappointmentaccompanying the realization as she stopped next to his bed. Shewould miss Cole, which meant she was an idiot who allowed herselfto get too attached to a dark fae.
“I’m much better,” Brokk said. “Thank you fortaking me in.”
She waved away his gratitude. “Anyone wouldhave done the same.”
